Former Detroit TV news anchor Taryn Asher has filed a federal lawsuit against Fox Television Stations and its Detroit affiliate WJBK, alleging sex discrimination and retaliation after she complained about unequal treatment. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, claims that male co-anchor Roop Raj received more favorable assignments and scheduling, and that the company tolerated a pattern of misconduct by male employees without similar consequences.
Allegations of Unequal Treatment
Asher's 24-page complaint details how Raj was allegedly given more guest interview assignments and allowed to circumvent her authority. She asserts that she was fired over allegations less severe than those involving male employees who faced no adverse action. The lawsuit states, "If Asher had not been female, she would not have been treated in the same discriminatory manner."
Examples of Male Misconduct
The filing cites several instances where male employees were not fired for serious infractions. Raj was merely suspended for two weeks after a 2012 DUI arrest. WJBK station general manager Paul McGonagle was promoted after a DWI arrest at a different Fox station. Former reporter Charlie LeDuff faced a disorderly conduct arrest in 2013. The lawsuit also mentions an employee with "severe anger issues and violent tendencies," an unidentified person who shouted obscenities, a longtime male anchor accused of sexually inappropriate comments, and two employees accused of sexual harassment of a female morning anchor.
Asher's Career and Complaints
Asher joined WJBK in 2007 and became evening lead anchor in 2022. She claims that after McGonagle became general manager in 2025, female leaders were systematically replaced by men. She specifically complained about receiving fewer guest interviews than Raj and being denied a schedule change to host "Let It Rip," while Raj was accommodated for his show "The Pulse." On October 31, she emailed McGonagle about the lack of equity, and three days later, he refused her request and put her show on hold.
Retaliation and Termination
On Election Day, Asher discovered Raj had been assigned all election-related guest interviews. After she complained to producers and Raj, the station's HR director put her on leave pending an investigation into complaints of "egregious behavior." Raj allegedly told HR that Asher was "jealous" and had "an issue with men vs. women." On November 14, she was fired for alleged "outbursts," though she never received a termination letter. She was later told her employment would end in June and her contract would not be renewed.
Asher seeks unspecified damages. Fox Television Stations, WJBK, Raj, McGonagle, and LeDuff did not respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit was first reported by Deadline Detroit.
